Learning Outcomes:
You will be able to: · Show an understanding of the concept of recycling of nutrients trapped in living organisms and explain the role of decomposers in these processes · Infer the role of decomposers in recycling of nutrients in the environment · Show an appreciation of the importance of man to understand and maintain the connections among living things · Show an appreciation of man’s responsibility to have care and concern for living things and the environment
Description of Activity: In groups of not more than five, you make compost out of decomposing waste materials like fruit peels and vegetables, and investigate the effects of different factors (e.g. type of waste material, relative portions of soil and waste materials, relative quantity of earthworm, etc.) on the rate of decomposition. You will share your findings by posting them on relevant websites or blogs or discussion forums, after which you monitor and respond to comments on your posts.
As an assessment of your understanding of the concepts related to nutrient cycling involved in this project, at the end of this project, you will construct concept maps individually to link the concepts. After this, you will review your individual maps and come up with a group concept map to link nutrient cycling to the larger context of sustainable living in Singapore.
1. Individually, create concept maps that link the science concepts behind composting (e.g. nutrient recycling, decomposition, biodegradability, …) using WEBSPIRATION (please share it with me buffdb@gmail.com). You can use the following questions as a guide:
- What is composting?
- What does the process involve?
- What is the value of decomposition?
- What affects the process and results of composting?
2. In your groups, review each other’s maps and consolidate the ideas. Reflect on how composting can help to play a part in sustainable living in Singapore. You may use the following questions to guide you:
- What is the value of composting to the ecosystem and to society-at-large?
- What are the relationships between decomposition, biodegradation, waste management, and sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle?
3. In your groups, create a 3min clip using VoiceThread to summarise you what you have learnt about composting, decomposition, biodegradation, waste management, and sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyle.
**zero waste sg**
my composting project
Essential Feature of Inquiry: Connecting and Communicating
Activity 5: Nutrient cycles in the ecosystem
Learning Outcomes:
You will be able to:
· Show an understanding of the concept of recycling of nutrients trapped in living organisms and explain the role of decomposers in these processes
· Infer the role of decomposers in recycling of nutrients in the environment
· Show an appreciation of the importance of man to understand and maintain the connections among living things
· Show an appreciation of man’s responsibility to have care and concern for living things and the environment
Description of Activity:
In groups of not more than five, you make compost out of decomposing waste materials like fruit peels and vegetables, and investigate the effects of different factors (e.g. type of waste material, relative portions of soil and waste materials, relative quantity of earthworm, etc.) on the rate of decomposition. You will share your findings by posting them on relevant websites or blogs or discussion forums, after which you monitor and respond to comments on your posts.
As an assessment of your understanding of the concepts related to nutrient cycling involved in this project, at the end of this project, you will construct concept maps individually to link the concepts. After this, you will review your individual maps and come up with a group concept map to link nutrient cycling to the larger context of sustainable living in Singapore.
1. Individually, create concept maps that link the science concepts behind composting (e.g. nutrient recycling, decomposition, biodegradability, …) using WEBSPIRATION (please share it with me buffdb@gmail.com). You can use the following questions as a guide:
- What is composting?
- What does the process involve?
- What is the value of decomposition?
- What affects the process and results of composting?
2. In your groups, review each other’s maps and consolidate the ideas. Reflect on how composting can help to play a part in sustainable living in Singapore. You may use the following questions to guide you:
- What is the value of composting to the ecosystem and to society-at-large?
- What are the relationships between decomposition, biodegradation, waste management, and sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle?
3. In your groups, create a 3min clip using VoiceThread to summarise you what you have learnt about composting, decomposition, biodegradation, waste management, and sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyle.
Online resources:
Pulau Semakau http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/wmd/SL%20Brochure.pdf
Moving octopus on Pulau Semakau http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYwuvFV2fno
Decomposers and Scavengers http://www.sciberdiver.edu.sg/Level.asp?pageCode=SA5&id=140626
Cycles of the Earth System
http://www.sciberdiver.edu.sg/Level.asp?pageCode=SA5&id=140626
Compost column http://home.howstuffworks.com/composting3.htm
Yucky Worm World http://www.sciberdiver.edu.sg/level.asp?pageCode=SA4GX
Zero Waste Singapore http://www.zerowastesg.com/category/recycle/
Zero Waste Singapore submit-a-post http://www.zerowastesg.com/take-action/submit-a-post/